Humming/drumming CV joint? Bearing?
Humming/drumming CV joint? Bearing?
Author
Discussion

21TonyK

Original Poster:

12,498 posts

226 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
2014 Mini One D on 97K.

Car was running silently until a recent 300+ mile trip. When I say silently, I mean on a freshly resurfaced motorway at 65-70 there was literally no road or mechanical noise at all for 10+ miles.

During the trip it developed a constant drum/humming. Brakes have been dismantled and cleaned, no binding, wheels spin freely jacked up and there is no noise or play on either side. Both sets of CV boots are in good shape, no visible leaks or damage.

The noise is constant, louder with speed. Noise is not affected by the gear used, clutch in or out or braking. In fact the noise is there just rolling with the ignition off and in neutral.

To me I'd say wheel bearing but dont really know enough to be sure. Garage is booked with on 6 October but if I can do anything myself (on the drive) before then it would be better.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Krikkit

27,560 posts

198 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
Does it change while cornering?

Could be a CV joint, wheel bearing or (if it has one) the intermediate bearing on the driver's side driveshaft

21TonyK

Original Poster:

12,498 posts

226 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
Does it change while cornering?

Could be a CV joint, wheel bearing or (if it has one) the intermediate bearing on the driver's side driveshaft
Might be my imagination but I can hear a difference on fast left corners >30mph, nothing at lower speeds, ie. turning @ <20.

And no perceptible change on right hand bends at speed.

Edited by 21TonyK on Monday 1st September 10:55

GreenV8S

30,956 posts

301 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
A wheel bearing would fit the symptoms.

A993LAD

1,915 posts

238 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
I had similar symptoms on my Volvo V60

Thought it would be CV joint or bearing and the noise definitely changed when cornering.

Turned out to be suspension top mount. Which definitely surprised me.

MattyD803

2,016 posts

82 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
Had almost identical on my Nissan - wheel bearing was my issue. Yours sounds very likely....but could potentially be tyres? Years ago I had an identical noise on an old Mk5 Civic Aerodeck when the Avons ran low on the rears. I was adamant is was the wheel bearings, but a swap of tyres front to rear revealed all!

21TonyK

Original Poster:

12,498 posts

226 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
MattyD803 said:
I was adamant is was the wheel bearings, but a swap of tyres front to rear revealed all!
Thats going to be Wednesdays job, the fronts are looking decidedly knackered. I'll swap with the rears and try it, they're only half knackered. MOT in a few weeks so they all need replacing really, ditch finders it came on.

E-bmw

11,260 posts

169 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
Almost certainly wheel bearing or a slight possibility of unusual tyre wear.

Swap wheels diagonally across the car to see if it swaps if not it will be the wheel bearing.

Krikkit

27,560 posts

198 months

Monday 1st September
quotequote all
MattyD803 said:
Had almost identical on my Nissan - wheel bearing was my issue. Yours sounds very likely....but could potentially be tyres? Years ago I had an identical noise on an old Mk5 Civic Aerodeck when the Avons ran low on the rears. I was adamant is was the wheel bearings, but a swap of tyres front to rear revealed all!
Yes good point. I had the same problem, although a symmetric setup front and rear with the same tyres made me think it was the bearings. Swapped the bearings in vein, replaced the tyres and all the odd behaviour was gone!

21TonyK

Original Poster:

12,498 posts

226 months

Wednesday 3rd September
quotequote all
Switch the wheels around, same noise. If we get a few dry days next week I might have a go on the driveway, if not I'll leave it to the garage.

Cheers

21TonyK

Original Poster:

12,498 posts

226 months

Any other tips to diagnose for sure before I order new a bearing?

21TonyK

Original Poster:

12,498 posts

226 months

Saturday
quotequote all
Okay, this might sound a little mad but...

Got both the front wheels off the ground with the engine running... 3rd gear at idle.

Drivers wheel is spinning faster than passenger, neither making any noise but right hand wheel spins more freely than left. Brakes not rubbing.

Should both wheels spin evenly under no load?

I'm just guessing at things before ordering a new hub/bearing (or maybe I need to do both at the same time?)


GreenV8S

30,956 posts

301 months

Saturday
quotequote all
21TonyK said:
Should both wheels spin evenly under no load?
Yes, if everything is working properly. If one side feels stiffer, something on that side of the diff isn't working properly.

21TonyK

Original Poster:

12,498 posts

226 months

Saturday
quotequote all
GreenV8S said:
21TonyK said:
Should both wheels spin evenly under no load?
Yes, if everything is working properly. If one side feels stiffer, something on that side of the diff isn't working properly.
Thought as much, theres a humming from that side when the wheel is spinning fast so it looks certain thats the issue.

Cheers